"More Than Rivals"

"A monster slam dunk that will impact your life."--Pat Williams, founder and senior vice president, Orlando Magic


In 1970, one small southern town was a powder keg ready to erupt.
But it was also on the verge of something incredible.

Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon grew up on opposite sides of the tracks in Gallatin, Tennessee. They knew the barriers that divided them--some physical landmarks and some hidden in the heart--but those barriers melted away when the boys were on the basketball court. After years of playing wherever they could find a hoop, Eddie and Bill rose as leaders of their respective high school teams. And at the end of the 1970 season, all-white Gallatin High and all-black Union High faced each other in a once-in-a-lifetime championship game. What happened that night would challenge Eddie and Bill--and transform their town.

A fast-paced true story of courage, determination, and forgiveness, More Than Rivals offers hope and inspiration for our times.


My Review:
"More Than Rivals" is such an inspiring, feel-good read!  I was immediately drawn into the story and transported back in time to life in the south in the midst of segregation and tension.  Ken Abraham does a great job with creating the backdrop of the story; he really brings the societal views, politics and everyday life in general to life making it so real to the reader.  Also, the story transitions back and forth "across the tracks" offering views of life from both sides and I like the way that this was done.  The friendship that these boys and their love of basketball is such a nice, inspiring story and one that will have each of the readers thinking about and being inspired by for a long time. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*